Water Wasting On Mondays Biggest Concern For Council

A larger crowd than is typical attended last nights Gillette City Council Meeting. One of the items drawing public comment was the councils first of three readings of an ordinance to amend a section of Gillette city code concerning water wasting. Gillette City Councilman, Ted Jerred addressed concerns brought up by citizens that they would not be allowed to water between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m during key watering months.

 “ I’d like to make a motion to remove section B1ii, which would take out the hours of 7 to 7”---Jerred

The council voted 7-0 to approve that amendment. As far as the vote on the ordinance itself, on the first of three readings the only no vote came from councilman Forrest Rothleutner, who said he wanted more information on who would be enforcing the ordinance and how they would be enforcing it. Rothleutner also said he thought the ordinance should include assurance that restrictions would "sunset" once the Madison Pipeline project is complete.

“What we've got here is a supply/demand issue, where we don’t have enough water to go around, and so its necessary at this point for us to say who is going to use it and who is not going to use it, and what times and all that just so we can all have enough to go around; and I think as soon as we are finished with that, as soon as we have enough to go around, we should pull those things back, and let people make those personal choices.”---Rothleutner

City Administrator Carter Napier said city staff would look at the request.

“Research the idea a little bit and bring back for next meeting a proposal that council could evaluate and determine whether or not it meets the spirit of the amendment that councilman Rothleutner is proposing”---Napier

Napier said he is confident that that information will be gathered in time for the second of three readings on March 4^th. 

After the meeting, Public Information Officer, Joe Lunne went over where the ordinance sits right now.

“ The no-watering function has moved ahead, so there will be a fine (if this passes two more readings) if you are watering on Mondays between 12a.m. and 12 p.m.”---Lunne

Lunne also noted the volunteer restrictions by the public have been much appreciated and helpful and they will be encouraged to continue.

“So we encourage people to water on the odd/even days; we really strongly encourage people not to water during the day if you can avoid it. It is really a cost savings for you. If you are watering during the day, 20 to 40 percent of that water is just being evaporated.”---Lunne